Michael Moorcock, in his fine introduction to Martian Quest, calls Leigh Brackett the “Queen of Martian Mysteries.” I agree completely with Moorcock’s assessment. Leigh Brackett wrote some great Martian novels like Shadow Over Mars (aka, Nemesis From Terra) and The Ark of Mars (aka, Alpha Centauri or Die!). Brackett’s Eric John Stark adventures, The Secret of Sinharat and People of the Talisman, make up one of my favorite ACE Doubles. The other stories in Martian Quest take the reader all over the Solar System, but the best stories deal with Mars. If you’re looking for intelligent High Adventure, I highly recommend Leigh Brackett’s Mars stories!
Table of Contents
“Queen of the Martian Mysteries” by Michael Moorcock
“Martian Quest” (Astounding Stories, Feb ’40)
“The Treasure of Ptakuth” (Astounding Stories, Apr ’40)
“The Tapestry Gate” (Strange Stories, Aug ’40)
“The Stellar Legion” (Planet Stories, Win ’40)
“The Demons of Darkside” (Startling Stories, Jan ’41)
“Water Pirate” (Super Science Stories, Jan ’41)
“Interplanetary Reporter” (Startling Stories, May ’41)
“The Dragon-Queen of Venus” (Planet Stories, Sum ’41)
“Lord of the Earthquake” (Science Fiction, Jun ’41)
“No Man’s Land in Space” (Amazing Stories, Jul ’41)
“A World is Born” (Comet, Jul ’41)
“Retreat to the Stars” (Planet Stories, Nov ’41)
“Child of the Green Light” (Super Science Stories, Feb ’42)
“The Sorcerer of Rhiannon” (Astounding Stories, Feb ’42)
“Child of the Sun” (Astonishing Stories, Spr ’42)
“Out of the Sea” (Astonishing Stories, Jun ’42)
“Cube from Space” (Super Science Stories, Aug ’42)
“Outpost on Io” (Planet Stories, Win ’42)
“The Halfling” (Astonishing Stories, Feb ’43)
“The Citadel of Lost Ships” (Planet Stories, Mar ’43)
Meet the Author by Leigh Brackett (Amazing Stories, Jul ’41)
Of course I knew Brackett had written a lot of science fiction but I associate her with mysteries and movies. I’ve never read one of these but will remedy that.
Jeff, Leigh Brackett’s Mars adventures are terrific!
Been ages since I read any of her SF – I really must, thanks.
Sergio, once you start reading Leigh Brackett’s MARS adventures it’s hard to stop!
Antiquated, but entertaining.
Rick, you have to factor in the time when these stories first appeared. But the storytelling power of Leigh Brackett is consistent in all of these stories.
She was one of the greatest talents in so many fields — one of those whose entire work should be “rediscovered” every year.
Jerry, you’re exactly right! Leigh Brackett was a fine writer in whatever genre she chose. Her work deserves a higher readership.
George, I have been meaning to read Leigh Brackett since my fairly recent sojourn into sf. I’m going to get down to it right away, perhaps with her short stories.
Prashant, I can highly recommend both Leigh Brackett’s short fiction and her novels.